Photo Credit: Rob Windfelder
The Flyers defeated the Montreal Canadiens in regulation by a score of 3-2. Tonight was the seventh and final game of an extended home stand for the Orange and Black. The team posted a very respectable 5-1-1 record over this stretch.
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It appears the Flyers and the Canadiens are running a similar course this season and came into this game almost dead even in points. Neither team will be headed to the post-season this year. Some of the recent Flyers games have had a bit more bite to them because the other teams are still fighting for playoff spots and every possible point matters. This game was of no real consequence to either team and unfortunately that was kind of apparent. It lacked intensity. Wade Allison accidentally taking out an on ice official was probably the best hit of the game. Things didn’t really heat up till the final few minutes but there were some exceptions.
Morgan Frost
A few minutes into the game Morgan Frost skated the puck from his own blue line, entered the zone, and made a crafty spin move around the defense before getting a shot on goal. It was the first of many standout plays by the Flyers forward in this match-up. Frost scored the first goal of the game at 3:41 of the second period. Kevin Hayes took a pass along the boards from Rasmus Ristolainen. Hayes carried the puck around behind the net and fed a pass across the slot to Frost who beat Cayden Primeau blocker side.
Felix Sandström
Felix Sandström had a surprise start for the Flyers tonight. Carter Hart was scheduled but suffered a lower body injury during the pre-game morning skate. There are no further details on Hart as of yet. Sandström had quite a solid game in net for his team tonight. He was tested on a number of occasions and he was up to the challenge. Many times this season Sandström does not make an appearance until the second night of back-to-back games. The Flyers have struggled with those games all season and Sandstrom’s record surely reflects that. Tonight he looked confident, his positioning was good, and he made some key saves that kept the Flyers in the game.
Nick Seeler had a chance in the second. His shot ticked off the pad of the Canadiens goaltender and died just shy of the goal line before defenseman Johnathan Kovavevic swept the puck out of harms way. A Flyers turnover lead to Montreal’s first goal. Brendan Gallagher scored unassisted halfway through the second. There were some good chances at both ends. The Canadiens hit a post, the Flyers hit a crossbar, but this game stayed tied at one until 2:15 of the third period. Again it was Morgan Frost giving his team the lead.
Out with a bang
Frost gained control of the puck in the Flyers end and charged up ice with Joel Farabee to his left. As they approached the slot instead of making a pass Frost opted to shoot. He hung onto the puck, cut towards the middle between the defenders, and just let it rip. Frost was a real force in this game.
At that point Montreal pulled their goalie if favor of an extra attacker. Owen Tippett with some nice stickwork stole the puck along the boards in the Montreal end and put it into the empty net to make it 3-1. The Canadiens pulled their goalie a second time and Rafael Harvey-Pinard scored with just 22 seconds left. The Flyers protected their lead as the clock ran down and won the game by the final score of 3-2.
Extra Credit: When addressing the press tonight after the game Head Coach John Tortorella acknowledged Morgan Frost’s strong outing, but he was somewhat reserved in his praise. He spoke of needing consistency and the 200 foot game and all the fundamental type stuff. Torts is not the type to gush but in a way it is a form of complement. He sees the potential and he wants to see more. Even when Travis Konecny was on his hot streak the coach always wanted to see something more from him. Take it for what it is, he wouldn’t expect to be seeing it if he didn’t think it was a possibility.
